From St Ives to Home.

So time to continue our journey around  Cornwall and

we moved from the South coast  to  the North coast

and beautiful St Ives although I think the main street

 has become even more commercialised than I remember it

with fat face, joules and all the usual subjects in evidence. 

Although no matter what the High street is like

the beaches and surrounding area is still stunning.

Even the grave yard is pretty and overlooks the sea.

Surf was up.

And these were almost the only blue skies we saw 

during the whole time we were away.

On to Devon and we went to a National Trust

house called Coleton Fishacre which is a 

1920's house with a garden that goes to the cliff edge.

It used to have a salt water pool in the cove but you can't go 

down that far anymore but it was a lovely view. 

 I loved this detail in the patio of the house which is 

flower pots inside each other.

The house itself is a fabulous arts and crafts house 

which has been put back to it's original state and 

even had copies of the original furniture especially made but unfortunately

you weren't allowed to take any photos.

On the way home we went to stay with my Brother in Somerset

 for a couple of days and he took us to the Avebury stone circles

in Wiltshire as I wanted to do a bit more research 

on our family history in the area and

as neither Mr T or I had never been there before.

I found them fascinating and so many of them,

it was great to be able to walk around them

which you can no longer do at Stonehenge.

Beautiful village and manor house though. 

So now we are home and I am catching up on

the washing during bouts of sneezing as my

hayfever is awful at the moment.

Anyway enjoy the rest of your week and  thank you

for your comments I really like reading them.

Gillxx

The story so far

Hello from rainy Exeter.

We are staying with our daughter here for a couple of days

which is wonderful.

So while I have the time and internet connection

I thought I'd put a few photos on to show you.

we have had a really busy time as we first took our son

back to Swansea before coming down to the West Country.

This is Bodmin Gaol where we stopped for lunch

and where my Great Grandfather spent a few days after

going absent without leave from the Navy in 1878 apparently.

Very spooky place.

The main reason for our holiday was to see 

The lost gardens of Heligan which was amazing.

I took loads of photos but here are just a few.

Before going to Mevigissey and afternoon tea.

The next day was the Eden Project

in the pouring rain 

(we've had a lot of that).

Afternoon tea in Fowey (pronounced Foy as in Joy apparently)

Where we saw Richard Madeley and Judy Finnegan doing there shopping.

 I just loved this quote.

More rain.

St Ives next stop in the sunshine :)))

But I'll leave that for next time.

Gillxx

The Treasures Under Our Noses.

Today is a day of getting everything done before going on holiday

You know the sort of thing, collect prescriptions, fill the car up

with fuel etc.

Well while the very nice young men in town were washing the car,

(yes I know I could do it myself but they are so nice and do it so well,)

I had a few minutes to spare and noticed the church had a flower festival on.

Anyone who knows Norfolk knows that the county 

is full of old churches due to the rich wool trade that flourished here

in the middle ages.

St Nicholas' church  dominates the centre our town as

it is one of the largest churches in the UK and

 was built in the 14th Century but in 1724

the tower, which was the second tallest in Norfolk,  partially

collapsed and the ruins have ever since  needed regular maintenance.

Unfortunately now it needs a bit more than maintenance so this is 

one of the ways the town is trying to raise money to save it.

The flowers start in the entrance.

and the church itself is packed with displays..

The rood screen is beautiful.

The displays represent something local so 

we start of course with 

Norwich City FC.

Anne Bolyn and Blicking Hall

The Norfolk Broads

Paston school where Nelson (and my children)

went to school.

Lotus cars.

Poppy Line Heritage Railway.

Colmans Mustard.

The ladies from the weavers guild which 

has been going as long as the church has been here.

Until fairly recently we had RAF Coltishall just down 

the road-- it is now a prison and housing but the 

RAF rings remind us of it.

I have been in this church countless times

but have never really wandered around and had a good look

and it was so nice to realise what a treasure

I walk past so often.

So what treasures have you got under your nose?

I loved to hear.

Anyway back to the packing--

Gillxx

Wisteria and W.I

I know I have already posted this week but

We had to pop into Norwich yesterday and walked passed this church 

which has Wisteria almost like a hedge around it.

The trees are so old and gnarled they are stunning I just had to show you.

While I'm here I just show you some of

what I've been up to craft wise.

I have been very busy with W.I competitions recently.

The latest is called  "heirlooms"

and we had to make 5 things which the group will be keeping

as part of the sections paraphernalia for the monthly meeting.

One of the things to make was a tablecloth for the 

Presidents table.

Our section decided it should be something that everyone 

had a hand in however small. 

Our theme fits in with the village and is a country side view.

One end is a cottage garden moving into fields and wild flowers.

Our section emblem is an owl and this was 

embroidered by one of the ladies and I think is amazing.

The hedge and tree stump is needle felted by another lady.

We had work days were we all made flowers etc

to be hand sewn on.

It has now gone to be judged so here is the finished 

article on my kitchen table with me taking the picture

by standing on the worktop.

When it goes onto the big tale this will be hanging down the front.

I love it but I'm not sure what the judges will make of it.

This is Erpy Owl and he was my project.

Erpy is our Identity or mascot.

I was told what shape was the working group wanted but I had 

a real problem with it. I could not find a pattern in this shape

so had to make my own and it took me 9 rough shapes before being happy

with it. 

The picture makes it look as if the head is bigger than it is.

His eyes, eyebrow chest and wings have all been

machine embroidered, is made from a worstead wool fabric and he has a squeaker

inside.

It caused me so much stress t get it right that I'm sick of the sight of him

 but everybody else loves him.

so wish us luck.

Hope your having a great weekend.

Gillx